Rider Positions: Posture, Posture, Posture

This month, we’ll cover a fun exercise that will improve your riding and confidence in the saddle. I want to start by saying that safety always needs to be your first concern and for this exercise you need a broke horse that you trust completely. You also need a friend on the ground that knows you and your horse and is aware of your riding level.

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Improving Your Horsemanship

When I was 15 years old, a friend loaned me a guitar and showed me three cords to play. I could play almost every cowboy western song I knew with just those three cords! It’s now over thirty years later and I still enjoy playing my guitar. Someone told me recently, “Richard, I don’t know of anyone who has played as long as you have played and improved as little as you have improved!”

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Forward + Straight = Balanced

There are certain qualities every horse needs to succeed, no matter what discipline. Every horse should be forward, straight, and balanced. Let’s look at these concepts in closer detail.

Forward does not mean fast. What it does mean is that your horse is using his
hindquarters to propel himself forward rather than pulling himself forward from his front end.

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Stallion Manners

If you own a stallion or have ever been around one, you probably understand the importance of good manners. A badly mannered stallion can be very dangerous to the people and horses around him. This month, we will discuss some simple exercises for establishing respect and control when you are leading your stallion in any situation. You may wonder, are stallion manners different from mare or gelding manners? I say no.

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